As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.

2 Thessalonians 3:13

All of us who have been faithful in the church have developed ways to love and care for each other over the years. Perhaps you have certain friends you regularly get coffee with, or people who you help with chores and projects around the house. Maybe God has given you specific skills that you use to serve the body of Christ for a discount or pro-bono. Maybe you just love hospitality and are active in blessing your fellow church members with a good meal on a regular basis!

Those regular rhythms of love have been affected by this “new normal,” haven’t they? There are many things that we grew used to doing that we cannot do anymore—at least, not for now. That can be discouraging and disheartening, especially if you took great joy in the specific way you helped others! We have all had to learn new means of loving one another, and most of them are unusual to us and outside of our comfort zones.

This verse reminds us of two things: First, just because we can’t do what we are used to doing, doesn’t mean that we are released from the duty of Christian brotherhood. We need to be creative. Use the free time to think of new ways to love, care for, and encourage one another. Just because it’s new or different, doesn’t mean it’s bad! In fact, I firmly believe that the church will develop new, healthy patterns of life from this unprecedented situation. Let’s use this time to outdo one another in showing honor (Rom. 12:10). Second, we should not stop loving one another, just because it’s different or feels unnatural. If you’re not the biggest fan of Zoom Bible study, you still have to admit that it’s better than no Bible study! We should be expending every effort to love in whatever way we can.

I’m praying for Holy Spirit-infused creativity and perseverance for all of us, as we seek God’s glory in quarantine.

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The “Isolation Introspection” series started as an opportunity for me to encoruage members of our Bible Study with daily reflections from the M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan during the 2020 “Stay at Home” mandate in Los Angeles. I’ve moved them here so that they can be shared easily, and perhaps benefit others. I hope you enjoy!